http://www.kuathletics.com/news/2015/5/21/MBB_0521150454.aspx ↗
Not sure if any of you had seen this yet. When I first read it I thought it was interesting that we weren't choosing someone from the Big 12 but then thought that it makes sense because why would we want to help someone form our competition get better.
Had no clue. Makes very good sense. Thanks for sharing.
Evan Manning out now?
We'd speculated a little on player from a team with a coach with KU connections -- Manning, Dooley.
Obviously Larry Brown has no ill will over the Vick deal. Moore's their best player. At least Frank will have someone looking up to him. Moore's a little guy.
Has this ever happened before in Basketball? He is their Conference's Player of the Year!
http://kuathletics.com/news/2015/5/21/MBB_0521150454.aspx ↗
@clevelandjayhawk I'm not sure how much Evan would provide us during the WUG. He did fine when pushed into a bigger role when Devonte went down but Nic gives us a better chance at winning.
@HawkInMizery I guess I'm in the boat of rewarding/developing is more important than winning. Not that I dont want to win, but I put developing and rewarding our players above winning. My worry would be bringing in 1-2 "outsiders" and that being an issue with how we develope as a unit. Plus, was hoping to see how Evan/Christian/Pollard would compete.
Nic Moore is a great get for add some depth to the back court for the tournament. KU will still need at least one more non KU scholarship player on the team and Self has said Nic Moore is the only non-Jayhawk that will be on the roster. With KU needing at least one more player to fill out the roster, and up to 3 if LeGerald Vick can't get reclassified in time, Evan Manning certainly seems like a lock to be on the roster. If Paschal Chukwu ends up being the transfer KU lands to fill out their 2015 recruiting class, KU will need a second walk-on to fill out the WUG roster. Since it appears that Chukwu is the preferred target over Johnathan Williams III, I think it's acceptable to begin asking who the last 2 WUG roster spots go to?
Evan Manning would appear to be a lock for a spot, but who gets the other spot? Tyler Self, Josh Pollard, or does Self invite Christian Garrett to fill out the roster?
Let's do this .. let's not wish or hope that any walk on, gets any playing time, anywhere, anytime, except when we're up by 25 points. Is that fair?
Does anyone really want Evan Manning on the court in meaningful minutes ever?
Roster spots aside, this is Kansas.
Just food for thought.
@HighEliteMajor After January 1st, no. In an exhibition match against Canada at the sprint center, yes. In South Korea when Wayne and Frank have 4 fouls and we need him to play 5 mins, yes.
Once again maybe I just don't view the WUG as important as the 2015-16 season. Also, you have a young man that bleeds crimson and blue ready to go, I take him over Nic Moore, but that my opinion and involves giving up talent to reward heart.
Did anyone else notice that the article says the non US players will not be attending?
I thought it had been clarified that they would not play but would be joining the team still for the trip.
If this is the case I hope this doesn't create a rift within the team.
If I had to guess this means Vick will be in the 2016 class.
If this was an NCAA game where KU had it's full 16 man roster (I assume KU fills out its 13 scholarships and isn't adding a walk on), I would agree about Manning and a second walk on playing relevant minutes in a game. This isn't the NCAA though and KU won't have 3 of their front line players for the WUG so it really doesn't bother me if Evan and another walk on get some minutes here and there during the WUG.
Why would this mean Vick is staying in the 2016 class? Vick gives KU 4 back court players for the WUG and Moore is the 5th back court player.
A month and a half of practicing and playing with a Superior guard, will only help the team get better. I'm assuming that the whole team will be able to practice together in Lawrence from June 9th until they leave for Korea after the 26th. Surely Svi and Diallo will be able to practice with the team similar to what the walk-on's do. Our perimeter defense will only be improved trying to guard Nic. The thought of actually having three incredible handles on the floor at the same time boggles the mind. This has to put a smile on the old Guard disguised as our Coach.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Great question about Vick ??
If the coaches kids, pollard, tried out for the team, like most walk ons use to do, doubtful they would make it. Love those kids, Evan is the best of them, rest, not great, jmo.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Understood.
Also, regarding Vick, I still think that if Vick doesn't reclassify, he won't sign that LOI in November and he'll never come to Kansas. Too much time for a lower ranked guy to contemplate his role when he sees Kansas going after top guys.
But I also think he'll reclassify and be here for next season. Hope so.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Coach Self said he wouldn't bring a guard from another school IF he signed another guard. My take on it is HCBS knows Vick will not be joining KU for the WUG so he needed another guy.
@Statmachine I thought he needed 2, would pick up 1, counting on Vick.
@Crimsonorblue22 Self just said in a news release that he will consider adding another player if Vick is not allowed to go on the trip.
My understanding of the Vick situation is that Vick will start the process of reclassifying to 2015 as soon as he graduates and it will just be a matter of whether that process finishes in time for him to play in the WUG. I've seen nothing that's indicated Vick won't be on the roster for the 2015-16 season.
So, we get a verbal commit from SMU de-commit Vick, then Self borrows Moore from Larry Brown. No hard feelings. Just business. Two backs, two pats.
By the way, regarding the lineup for the WUGs, what's to stop Self from playing an American born h.s. player (Vick), whether he signs in 2015 0r 2016? Of course, if he does not sign for the fall of 2015, he might yet change his mind once again, so it might be a gamble to fill an available slot with him for the Korea trip.
@REHawk "what’s to stop Self from playing an American born h.s. player (Vick), whether he signs in 2015 0r 2016?"
If it's a 2016 kid, the WUG rules would prevent that. A kid has to either be entering college for the fall semester or have been enrolled within the previous year.
If Vick isn't reclassified in time for the WUG, KU would still need 3 more players to reach 12. KU has 3 walk ons currently on roster and could invite Christian Garrett if Self wants to go that route as well.
KU = adidas.
SMU = adidas.
SMU gives KU a recruit plus an all conference player for the WUG.
Why can't adidas Rick Pitino from adidas Louisville give adidas-Bill Self and adidas KU one of his footers for the WUG?
Or maybe adidas Steve Alford and adidas UCLA has a post man?
Here's the deal on the roster for the WUG right now.
Front court: Bragg, Ellis, Lucas, Mickelson, Traylor
Back court: Graham, Mason, Moore, Selden
That's 9 players confirmed, Self expects Vick to finish the reclassifying process prior to the start of practice in a couple of weeks to make it 10 players.
Self is also expecting to land a transfer to round out the class. If the transfer is American born (Johnathan Williams III being the likely person in this scenario), they will be eligible for the WUG and be the 11th player and the 12th player will be a current KU walk on. If the transfer is not an American born player (Paschal Chukwu is the likely person in this scenario), then the 11th and 12th players would be current KU walk ons. Players not on the active roster will serve as managers for the team. This means Evan Manning will be on the active roster because he is the best player among the 3 walk ons. Now it's just a matter of whether or not the final spot goes to an incoming transfer or my guess would be Tyler Self if it's a walk on.
@Texas-Hawk-10 Thanks. I forgot about the college enrollment factor.
@Statmachine bought some hot links from butcher block.
@Crimsonorblue22 My mouth watered as soon as I read that!
@Statmachine I will think of u when we eat them, thx for info!
@Texas-Hawk-10 said:
Here's the deal on the roster for the WUG right now.
Front court: Bragg, Ellis, Lucas, Mickelson, Traylor
Back court: Graham, Mason, Moore, Selden
That's 9 players confirmed, Self expects Vick to finish the reclassifying process prior to the start of practice in a couple of weeks to make it 10 players.
Self is also expecting to land a transfer to round out the class. If the transfer is American born (Johnathan Williams III being the likely person in this scenario), they will be eligible for the WUG and be the 11th player and the 12th player will be a current KU walk on. If the transfer is not an American born player (Paschal Chukwu is the likely person in this scenario), then the 11th and 12th players would be current KU walk ons. Players not on the active roster will serve as managers for the team. This means Evan Manning will be on the active roster because he is the best player among the 3 walk ons. Now it's just a matter of whether or not the final spot goes to an incoming transfer or my guess would be Tyler Self if it's a walk on.
HCBS got his SUPER combo guard combo! Any guard can take the ball up the court and create their own shot, pass, or anything. I cant wait to see how this works!
So does Nic fit into the "Once a Jayhawk, always a Jayhawk?"
@wrwlumpy Young Nic certainly spewed the right stuff to his interviewer. I hope the kid shines; and that he helps us advance far enough into this summer tournament that our squad earns a wealth of July gametime exposure and experience. Nic has played three years and has earned recognition as one of a handful of top dogs in his league. Maybe his talent and particular patterns will open Bill's eyes to something new for the Jayhawk Play Book.